Hi Everybody I know there are a few of us who have talked about Thomas Rockwell of Stockbridge in the past. After just putting together a 50 page book of my mom's ancestry for my sisters, I can talk a little bit about the Rockwell family of Stockbridge, as I've concentrated some research on him over the past few weeks. My grandmother was Mary Eselma Rockwell, the oldest daughter of Garrett and Anna (Stam) Rockwell, who was the oldest son of Thomas Belding and Hannah (Tymeson) Rockwell. Thomas Belding Rockwell was married first to Lucy Lindley, but I have not researched that part of his life as fully. Thomas Rockwell, born 1772 in Woodbury, CT, was an early arrivee at Stockbridge, as Hammond says, for all intents and purposes. His roots are in the Fairfield County area of Connecticut. He was one of those people in my database who I had questions about because there were so many conflicting claims, regarding his heritage, and I feel confident now that I can share a truthful genealogy with you all. By using the Rockwell-Keeler genealogy, written by Boughton, The Rockwell Family in America, by H.E. Rockwell, and various other related family history books (with regard for the wives of these Rockwell men), I can safely take you to a Thomas Rockwell, born probably sometime between 1660-'70, in Fairfield, CT. It's very probable that the father of this Thomas was one John Rockwell of Rye, NY, as there are two mentions of the relationship in early Connecticut records. Between Boughton and H.E. Rockwell, there is a small degree of doubt regarding the relationship with some very subtle hints that might cause one to think that possibly this Thomas may have come to America a little later than the family progenitor, William Rockwell. Personally, it would be wise to follow along with the idea that this Thomas was the son of John, of Rye. It is "factual" that this Thomas is not of the direct line of William (of great note), but more probably the line of John, of Stamford, CT. Anyway, Thomas (c.1667 or so) married Sarah Ruscoe (Resco, Rusco, Rosco, Roscoe), the daughter of John Ruscoe, in 1703 and together they had four children, one of whom was a John Rockwell, born 1709. This John married Abigail Belden in 1733, in Norwalk, Ct, and in 1736, Thomas Rockwell was born. Not quite a year later, in 1737, John Rockwell died on the island of St. Eustatius, in the Lesser Antilles, while "doing business". Not quite three years after the birth of this Thomas, in 1739, his mother, Abigail died, and this Thomas was raised by his grandfather, William Belden. Belden family researchers refer to Belding as a "colloquial corruption" of the Belden surname. In 1766, this Thomas married Tabitha Dunham, a daughter of John Dunham, of Martha's Vineyard. Although I have not yet researched this part of the line fully, I vaguely remember that there were two daughters and two sons, one of those sons being Thomas, who came to Stockbridge. As seemed to be the way of the Rockwell men, this Thomas, as well, did not grow up with a father, as his died probably sometime before 1778. From a current acquaintance and Dan (or Dann) family researcher, I learn that Tabitha Dunham remarries, in 1779, to Abijah Dan. This would leave "our" Thomas Rockwell at about 7 or 8 years old at the time of his father's demise. To be honest, I do not have a definite source for the death of Thomas (b. 1736), but feel convinced enough through a variety of sources and circumstances to claim that his disappearance from records is the result of his death. From the Presbyterian Church records at Greenville, Greene, NY, Thomas Rockwell, who came to Stockbridge in 1813, is fairly well spoken of. My database, at RootsWeb, is: http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=SHOW&db=ameralia&recno=0 It is current and pretty well sourced, regarding these Rockwells. I hope to receive a file this week of "an inch thick stack of papers" from Baldwinsville and will have it in my possession until I visit the greatest country on Earth in May. It is some the original work of a repsected, long time Rockwell researcher. Merry Christmas John __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Send a seasonal email greeting and help others. Do good. http://celebrity.mail.yahoo.com